Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, 68, Hospitalised

J Jayalalithaa, chief of the AIADMK party, is stable and under observation, doctors said. (File)

Highlights

Jayalalithaa admitted to Apollo Hospitals in Chennai

68-year-old is stable and under observation, doctors said

Concerns about her health have been subject of reports in recent times

Chennai:
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has been hospitalised with fever and dehydration, doctors treating her at a hospital in Chennai said on Friday.

The 68-year-old AIADMK party chief is stable and under observation, doctors at the Apollo Hospitals said in a statement.

Although speculation has swirled in the past about her health, this is the first time she has been hospitalised and an official statement has been released.

Since her return to office after her acquittal in a disproportionate assets case last year, many including her rival 92-year-old DMK Chief Karunanidhi have sought clarifications about her health following speculation in the media and political circles.

That Ms Jayalalithaa often worked from home or attended office for just half-an-hour has been pointed at by many as signs of her worsening health.

But despite the concerns, she defeated DMK and allies in Assembly elections this year, becoming Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister for the sixth time and the first to retain power for a second term in 32 years.

However, at her swearing-in ceremony in May, the process was expedited conspicuously. Ministers swore oaths together in groups unlike the traditional individual act.

In recent months, actor-turned-politician has also began to address public meetings seated.

During the Independence Day celebrations last month, Ms Jayalalithaa took her seat a few times between the ceremony as she gave away the customary awards.